Canon 500 or 600mm for surfing ?

The first lens I bought for surf shots was the Sigma 50-500 f/4, which was only about $1000 new. This worked great and gave me very good range. I agree with croasdial that you won't need 2.8 for surf shots. The lens worked well for most outdoor sports but I eventually switched to the 70-200 f/2.8L IS for indoor indoor shooting and will use a 1.4x if needed for surfing. I just got it and have yet to get it to the beach.

BTW, the 600mm is a beast to lug around, I don't think it's necessary unless you shoot reef passes from the shore. Most guys I know use the 70-200 from a boat or the back of a jet ski (very carefully).

I disagree with all you saying you don't need f/2.8 OR you can't shoot at f/2.8. The 400f/2.8 IS with tcon 1.4 or 2 will work fine. The f/2.8 for portraits when surfers leave water are just above anything else.

All ahot at f/2.8
http://silvex.smugmug.​com …m-Boal-US-Open-of-Surfing

http://silvex.smugmug.​com …Surfing-2009/Malia-Manuel

cropped and resized.
http://silvex.smugmug.​com …n-of-Surfing-2009/Coco-Ho

400 f/2.8 + 1.4TCON
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=749348

I stand by you don't NEED a 400 f2.8 to shoot surfing. There are volumes of very good published shots done of surfing stopped down below f4. It never hurts to have a lens that can shoot at f2.8, but to say they are required to get good surfing shots... no way.

Check out this site for some great examples of the range of shots being used... try to figure out what kind of lens and setup they were using.

http://surfermag.com …oto_of_the_year​_nominees/

You would be surprised by the range of equipment being used. Everything from FujiFilm P/S cameras in a relatively cheap water cases to the biggest and baddest lenses and cameras out there. Vast majority are shot stopped down. Wide open has it's look, and can be used. But unlike other sports, the background isn't always a bad thing in surfing. The distances can be huge, and you'll get good diffusion at f4 and f5.6. Don't be sucked into the old game you need a 6,000 lens and a 5,000 camera body to get good surfing shots.